Driver with Angola murder suspect arrested

News-Sentinel staff reports

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 12:03 pm

The driver of the car in Monday's pursuit involving an Angola murder suspect found in Fort Wayne has been arrested.

Danika M. Smith, 21, of Fort Wayne, is being held in the Allen County Jail on $2,500 bond on a charge of resisting law enforcement (fleeing in a vehicle) and driving while suspended, according to Allen County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jeremy Tinkel.

Officers arrested Zao Burrell, 25, in the parking lot of Scott's Foods at Coliseum Boulevard and Clinton Street in Fort Wayne in connection with a homicide case in Angola.

Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff's Department acted on a tip passed along by Indiana State Police. The sheriff's department, Fort Wayne Police Department and FBI Safe Streets Task Force identified an individual getting into a vehicle Monday afternoon that matched Burrell's description, according to the sheriff's department.

Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver did not stop, and a short chase followed. The car then entered the lot of Scott's, where Burrell was arrested without incident. Two others inside the car were questioned Monday afternoon, too.

Steuben County Sheriff Tim Troyer had warned that Burrell should be considered armed and dangerous. The manhunt began after 40-year-old Brent Dombroski died Sunday from being shot at a private party in Angola.

Police believe Burrell fired at a police vehicle and struck it as officers were investigating the shooting and then chased him across the state line into Williams County, Ohio, where he fled into a wooded area. No one was injured.

Troyer said Burrell has a criminal record that includes firearms- and drug-related charges. He said investigators were trying to "piece together" Burrell's relationship with Dombroski.